Samoa Nurses Association

Papāli’i made the claim in a report broadcast on TV 1 Samoa local news Wednesday night.

The Minister in an exclusive interview with the Savali refuted the claim pointing out that the Ministry of Health’s Human Resources Division have assured him that all the nurses overtime have been paid.

“I find it amusing because the nursing fraternity including Papāli’i have never informed officials and myself,” said Tafito. “Shocked is an understatement to say the least.”

Newsline Samoa reported association president Solialofi Papali'i Bismarck saying maternity ward nurses have intervened to prevent illegal, prearranged adoptions.

Solialofi said pregnant women who agree to the illegal adoptions are being told to write the adopted parents names on hospital forms.

But she said some mothers are then having a change of heart and refusing to give up their babies after bonding with their children.

Solialofi said this has caused quarrels with adopted parents waiting at the hospital in which nurses have intervened.

More than 300 nurses are part of the NZ organisation which is affiliated to the broader Samoan Nurses Association in Samoa.

President of the NZ chapter, Lole Mesepa Channing, says their workshops in Auckland, Wellington and Waikato provided medical and health professionals an insight into culturally appropriate healthcare for Pacific patients.

The theme for this week's symposium is 'Embracing your cultural identity in your own nursing profession'.

The symposium is a prelude to the Samoan Nurses Association centennial celebrations in Apia next month.